This week on Varsity’s Roundtable, we welcomed Ryan Frederick, founder of Here and a leading voice on the link between place and healthy aging. Ryan shared how the environments we choose—our homes, neighborhoods and communities—deeply influence our health, happiness and longevity, and why understanding this connection is critical for older adults and those who serve them.
Through his four-dimension model of place, Ryan offered a fresh framework for senior living providers, healthcare organizations and community leaders to support well-being at every life stage. He also introduced the Here Place Planning Assessment, a quick yet powerful tool that not only brings these dimensions to life but also helps guide consumers from passive interest to confident, values-based decision-making.
PLACE = WELL-BEING
Where we live profoundly shapes our health—physically, socially, emotionally, and financially. Place planning brings this truth into focus and helps people make smarter decisions about their future.
FROM PLAN TO ACTION
A spot on a waiting list isn’t a plan. Tools like assessments, courses, and place plans help people move from passive intent to active preparation—long before crisis forces their hand.
SELLING LESS, EMPOWERING MORE
Today’s consumer doesn’t want a sales pitch. They want trusted tools to guide their own thinking. Place planning shifts the role of senior living from seller to partner in self-discovery.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Life isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither is where we live. Workshops inspired by this mindset help prospects assess their lives across four key areas and explore what comes next—on their terms.
CONTENT THAT CONNECTS
From blogs to assessments, rich, research-based content turns curiosity into clarity. Thousands have used these tools globally to reflect, recalibrate, and reimagine where they belong.
THE FOUR-DIMENSION DECISION
Home isn’t just square footage. Place planning breaks it down into four dimensions—environment, health, community, and finances—so people can see the full picture before making a move.
GROWING DEMAND, STRATEGIC RESPONSE
With consumers craving purpose and personalization, life plan communities have an opportunity to shift from reactive selling to proactive engagement—building deeper trust and fuller waitlists.
Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.
